History
The Economics of Patronage in Renaissance Florence
Quick fact
The Medici family, rulers of Florence, spent enormous sums on art—estimated at over 600,000 florins over a century—not just for beauty, but to cement their political power and family legacy.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a world where the most famous artists of history were also savvy businesspeople. Have you ever wondered how Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci got their big breaks?